2008 Audi A5

Audi pronounced 2007 the "Year of Emotion." There's little doubt that pulses will beat faster in the presence of the all-new Audi A5 - the first Audi coupe in 10 years. The Modular Longitudinal Platform (MLP), Audi's first modular designed chassis, places the engine and transmission further behind the axle, permitting a longer wheelbase. An improved, all-aluminum independent suspension fore and aft and a new steering design further enhance this platform.

The A5 has two engine options: a 170-hp, direct-injection turbocharged 1.8-liter four cylinder and a 265-hp, direct-injection 3.2-liter V6 capable of 0-62 mph in 6.1 seconds with the six-speed close-ratio manual transmission. A six-speed paddle-shifted automatic transmission is optional, as is Audi's rear-biased quattro permanent all-wheel drive. The A5 has a governed top speed of 155 mph.

The A5 is a new statement of the Audi look. With a flowing line down the flanks of the car, a smooth dynamic wave links the headlights and taillights. The front end finally gets Audi's "snoutish" front grill right. Due to the back-angled, sculpted setting of the grill, it becomes part of the airflow, rather than some orifice sniffing the highway. The aluminum front fenders seem to flow back with the airstream, giving a sense of motion to the car when at rest. At 182.3 inches, the A5 is 1.7 inches longer than an A4. It includes a 15.5-cubic-foot trunk with a powered trunklid. The A5 is also equipped with 17-inch wheels, Audi's MMI information and operating system, keyless entry, a CD player, and an electromechanical parking brake.

Optional equipment is extensive: a new navigation system, LED daytime running lights, bi-xenon headlights, a rear-view-camera parking system, an advanced key system, a panoramic sunroof, three-zone climate control, and a highly rated Bang & Olufsen sound system. An "S" line exterior package offers crisper exterior features, exclusive paint finishes, sporty interior enhancements like leather trim and dash trim in Vavona wood, aluminum, or piano black, 18-inch wheels, and a sports suspension.

The A5 carries the Audi tradition for peerless interior design to higher levels. The front seats are state of the art, while the back seats are limited in legroom due to the coupe configuration. The designs of the armrest and storage areas have drawn praise from reviewers.